Teenager Killed in Car Crash Days Before Starting High School
Ryan Kamal Assad, a 16.5-year-old from the village of Kisra in the Galilee, was killed in a car accident near Ma'alot just days before the start of the school year. He had been preparing to begin 12th grade and had dreams of joining the military for significant service. Also killed in the crash was 53-year-old fire and rescue officer Sarur Ammar from Hurfeish, who was in the second vehicle involved. Another person sustained serious injuries.
Ryan's father, Sheikh Kamal Assad, recounted the devastating news, describing his frantic drive to the hospital in Nahariya, filled with prayer and uncertainty about his son's condition. Upon arrival, he learned of the tragic outcome, shattering his family's dreams and plans. "Here our lives changed, all his dreams were shattered," the father stated, holding a picture of his son and his new school shirt. "He will no longer go to the army, he will not go up to 12th grade, he will not finish his studies."
The accident occurred near Moshav Lapidot around 5:00 PM. Paramedics described the scene as a very severe collision between two heavily damaged vehicles. Ryan, who was in the passenger seat, and Ammar were pronounced dead at the scene.
The father appealed to the public and drivers to exercise caution, emphasizing the profound impact of such tragedies on families. "From me and from all the family, I call on all the people of Israel, on every young man and woman to drive carefully. You go and do not know what you left behind. Think about the parents, about the brothers and sisters who are waiting for you at home," he pleaded.
This fatal crash was part of a particularly deadly weekend on Israeli roads, which claimed four lives in total within hours. In addition to Assad and Ammar, a 93-year-old man died in a crash on Highway 4 near Ra'anana, and a 40-year-old quad bike rider was killed in a hit-and-run near Tsohar in the Eshkol Regional Council.
According to the National Road Safety Authority, nearly 300 people have died in road accidents this year. While the number of fatalities is slightly lower than the same period last year, experts warn that the trend of improvement is diminishing. The authority projects that without intervention, 2026 could see a similar number of road deaths as 2025, which recorded 459 fatalities, the highest in over two decades. The data indicates that young adults aged 20-34 are the most affected demographic, with most fatal accidents occurring on intercity roads due to higher speeds.
